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Libya: Magarief says security top priority

(ANSAmed) - ROME, JANUARY 10 - In speaking at the Italy-Libya
economic forum underway at the Foreign Ministry, Libyan Head of
State and National Assembly President Mohammad Youssef Magarief,
said that among the challenges to be faced for the new Libya,
''security is at the top of the list of our concerns, and we
have begun to deal with it with the help of the Italian
Republic''. Italy has shown willingness especially as concerns
''the training of our armed forces and security, and in the
social re-integration of former rebels.''
He went on to say that ''we are in talks with neighbouring
countries to work together in the struggle against the
trafficking of arms, munitions, drugs and irregular migrants,
with the help of the EU and other countries in the region.''
There is also the issue of illnesses, especially of the social
sort, he said, addressing Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi and a
vast audience of businessmen, ''which can have a negative impact
on you as well''. This is the reason behind the initiative taken
by Prime Minister Ali Zidan, he went on to say, to go to
neighbouring countries (with which another meeting has been
scheduled) to ''seal the borders'' and ''step up air
surveillance by the armed forces'' to keep watch over them.